Herbs for Prostate Health

Here is a list of herbs for prostate health. These prostate herbs may treat, provide pain relief or prevent prostate problems symptoms of swollen prostate and enlarged prostate.

The prostate which is made of thousands of glands is important because one of its primary functions is to produce fluids to form about 30 to 35 per cent of semen. Its other functions include producing a type of protein called prostate specific antigen or PSA and in controlling the flow of urine.

Prostate problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate, prostatitis or prostate inflammation and prostate cancer are common in men above 40. Among the common signs and symptoms of prostate problems include flu-like symptoms, pain during urination, dribbling of urine after urinating, not being able to completely empty the bladder, painful ejaculation and pain in the lower back and in between the legs.

One of the causes of BPH is hormonal changes associated with aging. Bacterial infection is the most common cause of prostatitis. The change in the deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA of a normal prostate cell is one of the main causes of prostate cancer.

Lifestyle changes, healthy eating and taking certain herbs and vitamins for prostate health are some of the ways to prevent a prostate disorder. Before trying any of these herbs for prostate health, check with your doctor especially if you are taking prescription medication or have a medical problem. If you are looking for other prostate remedies, click on the link.

Saw Palmetto

A study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas found that taking saw palmetto extract may help treat enlarged prostate. Men who were given 160 milligrams of saw palmetto extract twice daily for a period of six months improved the symptoms of lower urinary tract associated with BPH.

An active compound in saw palmetto has the ability to prevent the conversion of testorerone to dihydrotestosterone. DHT makes the prostate grows.

One of its active ingredients is beta-sitosterol which is able to bind to the prostate and help reduce swelling or inflammation. Saw palmetto may also strengthen the immune system. The additional benefit of taking saw palmetto is it may prevent baldness because male pattern hair loss is related to DHT.

Stinging Nettle Root

Numerous clinical trials found that stinging nettle root extract has the ability to relieve the symptoms of BPH. Some studies indicate that stinging nettle root extract has the potential to reduce inflammation associated with prostatitis.

Among the many constituents of the common nettle root include sitosterols, quercetin, acetylcholine and tannins. According to research, the chemical constituents may be able to interfere or block the conversion of testosterone to DHT and the growth of new prostate cells.

Stinging nettle extract is widely sold in combination with saw palmetto extract. Besides these two herbs for prostate health, some herbal formulas include rosemary extract and green tea extract.

Pygeum Africanum Bark

Pygeum africanum or prunus africana bark contains phytosterols including beta-sitosterol and campesterol, ferulic acid, tannins and triterpenes such as oleanolic acid. Among its function include reducing inflammation and levels of cholesterol in the prostate.

Clinical trials indicate that pygeum africanum bark extract has the potential to lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. Pygeum bark is also recommended as one of the herbs for prostate health because it may help treat prostate infection.

Pygeum bark extract is also available combined with saw palmetto extract and stinging nettle extract as an herbal supplement for prostate health.

Cernilton

Cernilton is flower pollen extract and the most common pollen extract used for prostate health is obtained from rye grass. Based on a placebo controlled study conducted in Germany, it was found that cernilton was able to improve the pain associated with prostatitis. The trial was done on a group of men with inflammatory chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

One group was given cernilton and another was given a placebo for 12 weeks. The men who were given cernilton showed improvement in urine flow and a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the urine. Leukocytes are white blood cells. If there is a high amount of leucocytes in the urine, it could indicate a health problem along the urinary tract or at other part of the body.

Green Tea

Another one of the herbs for prostate health is green tea. In one animal study it was found that green tea extract was able to interrupt the process that increase the size of tumors and also prevented them from spreading.

Another study was conducted and it involved 26 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer. At the end of 34 days, it was found that the men who took green tea extract have reduced their HGF, VEGF and PSA levels up to 30%.

Researchers think that the constituents in green tea such as catechins or GTC, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin are involved in the healing activities. One of the derivatives of catechins called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG is said to have 20 times more anti-oxidant activities compared to vitamin C. Besides its anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogen activities, it is also an anti-inflammatory and anti-radiation herb.

In addition to the list of herbs for prostate health mentioned above, consider trying the Prostate Dr. It is a natural herbal remedy to support a healthy prostate and may help prevent prostatitis and enlarged prostate problems.

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